Fansided

Every NFL team’s greatest rushing season of all time

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Eric Dickerson #29 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the football during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals as rain falls at Riverfront Stadium on September 23, 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Bengals 24-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Eric Dickerson #29 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the football during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals as rain falls at Riverfront Stadium on September 23, 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Bengals 24-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Jamal Anderson #32, Running Back for the Atlanta Falcons in motion running the football during the National Football Conference Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings on 17th January 1999 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. The Atlanta Falcons won the game 30 – 27. (Photo by Elsa Hasch/Allsport/Getty Images)
Jamal Anderson #32, Running Back for the Atlanta Falcons in motion running the football during the National Football Conference Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings on 17th January 1999 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. The Atlanta Falcons won the game 30 – 27. (Photo by Elsa Hasch/Allsport/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Falcons: Jamal Anderson (1998)

The franchise has had its share of quality running back over the years. Gerald Riggs, a first-round pick in 1982, remains the franchise’s all-time rushing leader. Who knows what would have happened if four-time Pro Bowler William Andrews, who played in only 87 regular-season contests, had been able to stay healthy? He ran for 1,000-plus yards in four of his six seasons, including an impressive 1,567 yards in 1983.

In 1994, the Atlanta Falcons used a seventh-round selection on University of Utah running back Jamal Anderson. He was a dependable performer who blossomed in his third season, which was the first of four 1,000-yard rushing campaigns in five years.

The fifth year for the former Utes’ standout proved to be the charm. In turn, it was also a big season for head coach Dan Reeves’ club. The Falcons won their final nine regular-season games for a 14-2 record. Anderson finished with 410 carries, the second-most in a season in NFL annals, good for 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The 1998 Pro Bowler and All-Pro didn’t slow down come the postseason as Reeves’ club would reach Super Bowl XXXIII. Anderson totaled a combined 70 carries for 276 yards and a pair of rushing TDs vs. the 49ers, Vikings and Broncos.

Next: Baltimore Ravens

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